Under the (safe?) assumption that both Benteke and Tomkins are signed, I think there are five key questions that remain this summer, listed in order of importance:
1) Will Bolasie be sold?
Almost every transfer window this question seems to be asked, and yet nothing happens. However, it seems this time there is a vocal minority who think we should sell. I have always been harsh on Bolasie, even stating before the season that I didn't think he deserved a new new contract on higher wages. There were other players who deserved a pay raise before him, but he seems to be taking advantage of the fact that he has a very aggressive agent, and the media has inflated his value. I stand by my previous criticism. Even for a winger he is incredibly inconsistent, can look disinterested, and has terrible decision making. For example, he is now 1 for 88 from shot outside the box. While his accuracy is not as bad as that makes it out to be (he has hit the post and crossbar several times), it is the area outside the box he insists from shooting from (outside the corner of the box from where even Ronaldo would struggle to score from with any regularity). Needless to say, Bolasie is a very frustrating player at times to watch. And yet, I absolutely think, finances permitting, we should not sell. Even with the addition of Townsend, he is instrumental to the way we play and despite claims to the contrary, his form did not drop off last season (in fact he played very well at the end of the season against Stoke and Newcastle). Fortunately for us, if he wants to stay in England then his exit options are very limited, because there are very few "bigger" clubs who would tolerate his end product. This is one that is likely to drag on for months.
2) Will we sign a Number 10?
Let me start off by saying that Puncheon has a role to play this year. When he is on his game he is the best player at the club. He is one of our own. Unfortunately, those spells are becoming less frequent. For most of last season he was very poor and the worst player in the starting XI. In fact, bar incredible patches under Pulis and Pardew, he has not been great for us and just turned 30. Moreover Puncheon currently has no competition for the position. In fact, Pardew decided to play James McArthur out of position in the cup final in the number 10 role, highlighting both his lack of trust in Puncheon and our lack of depth in the position. This number 10 position is the position that we could upgrade the most from, and yet that area has been very quiet on the transfer front. It is not a position that comes cheaply and finances may be running out? Who knows. Playing Townsend or Wickham in the position may work in a pinch, but playing players out of position is rarely a good idea. Signing a very good number 10 who could link it up between all our great attacking options could be the key next season.
3) Will be able to offload our fringe players?
We already know we are stuck with Campbell due to his wages, but what about some of our other fringe players? Sako was awful after a great start, showing absolutely no indication he is a premier league player. With the arrival of Townsend, and assuming Bolasie stays, Sako is expendable and could save us quite a bit in wages. But will those wages make him unsellable? The wages for Mutch and Lee will likely be lower and they should make way if possible. Same with one of our backup keepers.
4) Will we sign another defender?
Even with the arrival of Tomkins, we are relatively low on defensive depth, especially at the full back position. With Souare leaving for AFCON, getting in another solid option would certainly be beneficial. In addition, given the strength of the rest of our squad, our full backs may be our weakest spot from a pure ability perspective. Both are competent, and both were our best players in the cup final, but if we are going to take the next step, at least challenging them with competition would seem prudent.
5) Will we sign another midfielder?
Cabaye and McArthur are undoubtedly our best midfield pairing, but if one of them were to go down, we are have no direct replacement. Ledley and Jedinak both serve a purpose, but neither are well suited to our new style of play. Selling one and bringing in a box to box type player who is comfortable on the ball may further increase our depth.
Thoughts?
1) Will Bolasie be sold?
Almost every transfer window this question seems to be asked, and yet nothing happens. However, it seems this time there is a vocal minority who think we should sell. I have always been harsh on Bolasie, even stating before the season that I didn't think he deserved a new new contract on higher wages. There were other players who deserved a pay raise before him, but he seems to be taking advantage of the fact that he has a very aggressive agent, and the media has inflated his value. I stand by my previous criticism. Even for a winger he is incredibly inconsistent, can look disinterested, and has terrible decision making. For example, he is now 1 for 88 from shot outside the box. While his accuracy is not as bad as that makes it out to be (he has hit the post and crossbar several times), it is the area outside the box he insists from shooting from (outside the corner of the box from where even Ronaldo would struggle to score from with any regularity). Needless to say, Bolasie is a very frustrating player at times to watch. And yet, I absolutely think, finances permitting, we should not sell. Even with the addition of Townsend, he is instrumental to the way we play and despite claims to the contrary, his form did not drop off last season (in fact he played very well at the end of the season against Stoke and Newcastle). Fortunately for us, if he wants to stay in England then his exit options are very limited, because there are very few "bigger" clubs who would tolerate his end product. This is one that is likely to drag on for months.
2) Will we sign a Number 10?
Let me start off by saying that Puncheon has a role to play this year. When he is on his game he is the best player at the club. He is one of our own. Unfortunately, those spells are becoming less frequent. For most of last season he was very poor and the worst player in the starting XI. In fact, bar incredible patches under Pulis and Pardew, he has not been great for us and just turned 30. Moreover Puncheon currently has no competition for the position. In fact, Pardew decided to play James McArthur out of position in the cup final in the number 10 role, highlighting both his lack of trust in Puncheon and our lack of depth in the position. This number 10 position is the position that we could upgrade the most from, and yet that area has been very quiet on the transfer front. It is not a position that comes cheaply and finances may be running out? Who knows. Playing Townsend or Wickham in the position may work in a pinch, but playing players out of position is rarely a good idea. Signing a very good number 10 who could link it up between all our great attacking options could be the key next season.
3) Will be able to offload our fringe players?
We already know we are stuck with Campbell due to his wages, but what about some of our other fringe players? Sako was awful after a great start, showing absolutely no indication he is a premier league player. With the arrival of Townsend, and assuming Bolasie stays, Sako is expendable and could save us quite a bit in wages. But will those wages make him unsellable? The wages for Mutch and Lee will likely be lower and they should make way if possible. Same with one of our backup keepers.
4) Will we sign another defender?
Even with the arrival of Tomkins, we are relatively low on defensive depth, especially at the full back position. With Souare leaving for AFCON, getting in another solid option would certainly be beneficial. In addition, given the strength of the rest of our squad, our full backs may be our weakest spot from a pure ability perspective. Both are competent, and both were our best players in the cup final, but if we are going to take the next step, at least challenging them with competition would seem prudent.
5) Will we sign another midfielder?
Cabaye and McArthur are undoubtedly our best midfield pairing, but if one of them were to go down, we are have no direct replacement. Ledley and Jedinak both serve a purpose, but neither are well suited to our new style of play. Selling one and bringing in a box to box type player who is comfortable on the ball may further increase our depth.
Thoughts?
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